String Figures

This is an ancient game played around the world. Remember "Jacob's Ladder", "Kitty Whiskers", "Cup and Saucer" or Cats Cradle?! Those are only the beginning.

You just need some string for this fun filled activity, making it ideal for playing in the car on long trips. Skill levels vary from super easy to very difficult, so there is something for everyone. It requires concentration, dexterity, and it fosters perseverance and patience. Kids love to practice new figures over and over as they learn them, so don't leave home without tossing a ball of yarn into your travel activities pack! 

There are several resources available on the web with pictures and instructions for how to make all kinds of string figures. Here are my favorites. These links will all open up in a new window, so just close the window to come back here when you're done:

The WWW Collection of Favorite String Figures
This is the best and most comprehensive site I found. It starts with the basics and gradually demonstrates harder figures as you learn. The drawings are fantastic and easy to follow, and are included for each step along the way, not just the final product. Print out the instructions and take them with you on the road!! 

How to do Cat's Cradle
Excellent illustrations. In cat's cradle, two people make shapes with string and pass them back and forth.

Arctic String Figure Project
This one has dozens of figures with photographs demonstrating how to create them.
 

"Going Fishing"
A wonderfully creative string figure story with illustrations.

Have fun!
 
 

~ ..· ´¨¨))   -:¦:- 
        ¸.·´  .·´¨¨)) 
      ((¸¸.·´  ..·´   Road Trip Mom -:¦:- 
     -:¦:-    ((¸¸.·´* 
 
 

Road Trip Mom recommends:

Back Seat Travel Games Tin For kids of all ages. They have several travel tins with various activities. Comes with magnetic pieces & activity cards. And a tin to keep it in! Hours of Fun! Available at Family Travel Gear Back Seat Survival Kit From Klutz. A full-color book of car  activities, plus a game pad, and a vinyl pouch full of everything you need  Hours of Fun! Available at Family Travel Gear or Amazon

Don't Miss These:
Games for Kids | Toddlers | Babies | Articles | Travel Freebies

This article is copyright © Momsminivan.com . All images associated with this article are also copyright © Momsminivan.com and may not be republished on other websites or print media without permission. If you would like an article to use on your website, please see the articles available for reprint here.